Game 1 of the Penguins’ 12-day west coast road trip inside Honda Center against a seriously struggling Ducks’ team appeared to be the easiest bet in sports.
Anaheim hadn’t won a single game since its last victory in Pittsburgh back on December 17, where the Ducks rallied with four consecutive goals after falling 2-0 early to win 4-2 in regulation. Team captain Ryan Getzlaf hadn’t scored on home ice since the end of November. Head coach Randy Carlyle’s seat was growing hotter by the second, the offense couldn't find the back of the net more than once a night to save their lives, and Anaheim’s record was an abysmal 0-6-3 coming in.